Hardik Pandya likely to return in India squad for New Zealand tour

New Delhi : The Indian squad ODIs and Tests for New Zealand tour will be announced on Sunday. During the tour India will be playing five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.

The squad will leave after the conclusion of the third and final ODI against Australia on January 20.

It is expected that Hardik Pandya will be returning on the squad, he was dropped in October last year after he had suffered back injury.

The all-rounder is already part of India A squad which is also touring New Zealand.

"The selectors will name the squads on Sunday and the T20 team will be leaving the day after the third ODI game between India and Australia," IANS quoted sources in the know of development as saying. "They will fly from Bengaluru itself as it makes more sense logistically. No point in the team dispersing after the Australia game and then regrouping again and heading to New Zealand."

A senior BCCI official was quoted by the news agency PTI saying that Hardik Pandya may find a place in the squad this time.

"About Hardik, it’s only about checking out if he is fully fit for international cricket or not. He is very integral to India’s World T20 plans," the official claimed.

Meanwhile, not many changes are expected in the squad but it will be interesting to see if Kedar Jadhav can make it to the international squad. Considering the seam-friendly conditions in New Zealand, Navdeep Saini could be selected as the fifth pace bowling option joining the likes of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav.